Outdoor spaces for play and learning

Thousands of primary schools have little or no suitable outside space for PE, sport and active play, according to a recent consultation by Sport England – but with physical inactivity and childhood obesity rising, there has never been a greater need for children to be more active. Recognising that adopting an active lifestyle early in life is likely to encourage healthy habits later into adulthood, it is schools that are being tasked with leading the charge, and they are receiving some much-needed funding from government in the process.   
   
Earlier this year, Sport England awarded £18 million of National Lottery funding to over 600 schools with little suitable outside space for PE, sport and active play. Successful schools receive up to £30,000 to spend on a range of specially created packages, such as multi-sports areas, which can be tailored to meet their needs, for use both within the national curriculum and outside traditional school hours.  
   
Pupil wellbeing
Working closely with schools to provide these much-needed new facilities is the leading trade body for the UK play sector, the Association of Play Industries (API). The API represents manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of both outdoor and indoor play equipment and safety surfacing. The API is the voice of the play industry, and is committed to quality, standards, service and safety in play. It campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition of the value of active play, not only in tackling the nation’s catastrophic physical inactivity epidemic, but in addressing wider social problems like social inclusion, anti-social behaviour and community cohesion.  
   
The majority of the association’s members supply the education market. They design, create and install high-quality spaces, equipment, markings and surfacing for active outdoor learning and play in schools and early years settings across the UK. Half of API members that supply to schools have been invited to tender for Primary Spaces Facilities Funding projects, and for many, installation work is already underway.
   
Michael Hoenigmann, API Chair, believes that in order to tackle the catastrophic physical inactivity crisis, children need encouragement to be active from an early age. He says: “Many children are already obese before they even start at primary school and it has been widely reported that today’s children will have a lower life expectancy than that of their parents’ generation. Positive early experiences of physical activity play an important part in encouraging young people to be active throughout their lives.
   
“Schools have a vital contribution to make in improving child health and wellbeing, but they need advice and guidance from well-respected play professionals to ensure they make the very most of their outdoor space. API member companies are experienced play experts and it’s a measure of their professionalism that so many are involved in improving schools’ outdoor facilities through the Primary Spaces Facilities Funding initiative.”

Gaining from the outdoors
Active play has wide‑ranging physical benefits from improving physical literacy and developing fundamental movement skills, to supporting physical and mental health, and building strength, resistance, co-ordination, spatial awareness and balance, to increasing brain and sensory development, and improving well-being and happiness.   
   
The emotional and behavioural benefits includes providing more freedom, choice and independence. It reduces anxiety, improves concentration and focus, builds confidence and is particularly effective as a learning environment for boys and for those with special educational needs, helps children build resilience, experience challenge, deal with new situations and take risks in a positive way, enhances creativity, imaginative and role play, increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-respect.

The social benefits of outdoor play include encouraging exploration and discovery, promoting team-work, problem-solving and leadership skills. It enables children to develop social skills, meet new people and socialise with friends. It enables children of all abilities and backgrounds to play together and provide opportunities for learning. Regarding environmental benefits, outdoor play improves interaction with the natural world and promotes environmental citizenship.

Why not outside?
Recognition of the vital role of schools – and of active play – in improving child health was further reflected last summer when the government guaranteed School Sport Premium funding of £150 million a year until 2020. Sport Premium expenditure is at schools’ discretion but should be used to improve provision of PE and sport, to develop physical literacy and encourage physical activity as part of a lifelong healthy lifestyle. API Chair Michael Hoenigmann reminds schools that outdoor play equipment promoting physical activity and movement skills is eligible for this funding.
   
The member companies of the Association of Play Industries believe schools should be incentivised to adopt a ‘why not outside?’ approach to all aspects of the National Curriculum so that activity-based learning takes place outdoors as much as possible. 

For schools looking to improve their outdoor space or playground or seeking practical ways to increase physical activity levels, the API is an invaluable first port of call. Drawings of playgrounds and play equipment can sometimes look alike to customers, but the reason that cut-price operators can deliver cheaper deals is because they are likely to be compromising on quality, standards, materials and safety. For peace of mind, schools are urged to ask for evidence of current API membership. 

API members
The API membership badge is a quality mark and is firm proof that a play company is experienced, reputable, financially secure and stable, operates to the highest standards and abides by the association’s strict Professional Code of Conduct. API member companies are the UK’s leading experts in play provision and understand the unique needs, demands and pressures that schools face. They will always provide a bespoke play solution that meets a school’s specific objectives, based on a visit from a highly-skilled consultant, never an ‘off‑the-shelf’ package.  Whether it’s a complete playground transformation to provide a multi‑use games or play area (MUGA/MUPA), an outdoor classroom for all-weather learning or an update to existing space or equipment, API members will make design recommendations based on expert knowledge and experience. They will be a trusted partner throughout the installation process, including high-quality after care, inspection and maintenance advice.         
   
The API website is an essential first port of call, providing a wide range of helpful advice, resources and links on fundraising, planning and project guidance, design and risk and full details for every member company.

Schools can rest assured that when planning a play project, however big or small, they can trust the Association of Play Industries and its member companies to deliver exceptional service.

Further information
www.api-play.org